Author's note: So since this story partially takes place Greece, these characters should be speaking Greek. However, I don't know Greek, so I put some in here using good 'ol google translate. If you do know Greek and it's wrong, I apologize and just go with it. Lol

Chapter 1

She ran down the long narrow dark hallway. Her steps were carefree and light as she raced against the clock. Her brunette curls bounced atop her head with each stride. Looking back for her pursuer, she didn't see the portly man step in her path before she was sent flying back from impact. Reflexes sharp, he grabbed her before she hit the ground. He stood almost six feet tall glaring down at the little girl with a firm grip still on her small arm, "if you are always looking ahead, you will never be sent backwards." His voice was deep and husky sending vibrations down her spine. She'd only seen him a few times and every time his presence terrified her. She didn't know much but she knew he didn't belong here.

"Kopelia, poú eísai?" The young woman turned the corner, her eyes bulged at the scene between the man and young girl, she rushed over.

"Edo. Edo. Ma-" the little girl started but was swiftly cut off, "Natti" the young woman finished for her sternly. "Go get washed up."

"But, Natti I didn't do anything." She protested.

"Go." She stared at the young girl who didn't budge. "Tóra!" She watched the girl turn around slowly, walk back down the hall and turn the corner.

Curiosity got the best of her and she stopped once she was out of sight to listen to the exchange between the adults.

"What are you doing here?"

"Is that how you greet me Natasha, where are your manners?"

"My apologies, Cousin." She kissed him on either cheek before continuing, "What brings you down here?" He'd never been down to their living quarters in all of the five years they'd been there. She lived just off the castle in a small shack barely big enough for the three of them. Cousin had been generous to allow her to stay in the maid's quarters. It was detached from the main house with the exception of underground tunnels to make it easier for the maids to travel back and forth. She knew he had to be here for a reason.

"I wanted to see you. She looks well, is she?"

"She's not why you came down here."

"You've always been very astute, Natasha. I won't prolong this. It's your husband. I've heard some disconcerting things."

"What disconcerting things have you heard cousin?" She was already annoyed with his cryptic warning.

"His dealings, they aren't good."

"Cousin, with all due respect. You've never given a damn about me or my husband so thank you for your concern but it's not needed."

Mikkos knew he wouldn't be well received but felt compelled to caution her. "I see my presence, has upset you. I apologize. I did not mean any harm. Be well Natasha." He turned and walked back down the long service hall. She watched him walk down the hall attempting to tamp down the anger she felt towards the man before returning back to her quarters.

"Sema, Semaitsa mou!"

The little girl came running out of the back room. She was still out of breath from running back before she got caught eavesdropping. "Yes, mam-Natti" She corrected herself.

"It's okay, sweetheart. You can call me mama, now." She sat down and reached a hand out to pull her daughter into her lap. "I know I told you this was a safe space and you could always call me mama here. You can, I just didn't expect him to come here. I'm sorry if I startled you earlier." To minimize the shame on the family, she taught her daughter to refer to her as 'Natti' when they were in town or around anyone other than their small family unit.

"It's okay, mama. That was the man from the big house?"

"Yes it was. Did he frighten you?"

"Yes mama. He's scary. Is he family to us?"

She tilted her head down at her daughter, "Why do you ask Semaitsa?" Natasha watched the young girl's face blanch realizing she gave herself away. "Where you listening to my conversation? Children shouldn't listen to grown up conversations, there's a reason for it. They hear bits and pieces and don't understand everything!"

The little girl hesitated before relenting, "I'm sorry mama. I won't do it again. I promise!"

"No, you won't." She kissed her forehead cuddled closer.

"When will papa be home?"

"I don't know, moró mou" She looked at the time and her mind wandered into deep thought. She couldn't help the pit she felt at the bottom of her stomach. She felt it before but even more so after Mikkos's warning. For him to enter the maids quarters just to warn her about her husband meant something, though she wasn't sure what.

Present. 2005.

"Are you ready to get your ass kicked!?" Patrick asked.

She laughed, "Please! I don't want to hear any crying from you when you get beaten by a woman."

"Whatever, I can handle being beaten by a woman, but you won't beat me!" He placed his helmet on and secured the strap as she did the same.

They both got into their go-carts and waited for the instructor to lead them to the starting line. "The race is 14 laps, no intentional bumping or blocking of another racer. Pay attention to the flags and warning signs. When you hear the third beep that's your cue! Thumbs up when you're ready!" The instructor finished his spiel. Patrick looked down past the other racers towards Sam who was looking back with her game face intact. He could only see her eyes but they were so expressive he could imagine her mean mug. He smiled to himself. He didn't believe he could love her any more if he tried.

Ready. Set. Go!

"Game time!" He pressed on the gas as his cart sped up to 50mph. He got a good lead on Sam who was a car length behind him. She bid her time until she was able to make her move and pass him on the inside, capturing the lead in the tenth lap. They battled for the edge with each turn in the next three laps. Patrick had regained the lead in the fourteenth lap though she was right on his tail. He let off the gas slightly in the last turn, losing just enough momentum to allowing her to gain on him and edge him out just at the finish line.

"YES! I told you I would win!" She took her helmet off, allowing her hair to fall perfectly down her shoulders.

He flashed a smile, "you did. You beat me… barely." They got their belongings and headed outside.

"Yeah, sure but 'barely' counts, Mr. Nascar!"

"That's Dr. Nascar to you!" They both laughed. "Hey Sam, thanks!"

"Aww Patrick, you don't have to thank me, it's my pleasure to beat you!" she laughed.

"No, asshole! Thanks for coming out with me to help clear my mind and take a break from… everything."

She nodded. "Ooh a bench! Beating you is exhausting!" She coaxed him in the direction of the benches.

"You okay?" she asked as they sat down on the bench just outside of the building and watched the children playing on the playground in the park across the way. "This first year of Residency has been rough but you and your friendship came out of nowhere a year ago and I'm just… grateful."

"You know what I think Dr. Drake?"

"What?"

She closed her eyes, stilled her body and raised her hands in meditation. "You're going to be a world renowned neurosurgeon, I can see it."

"What, are you psychic now?" He pushed her slightly so she became off balance and caught herself with her leg. She opened her eyes, smiling bright, "Yes!" She laughed before she became serious, "No, I just believe in you."

He ran his thumb along her jawline as they locked eyes. Tension filled the space between them. Sounds of the ice cream truck echoed off the building, "Ice cream!" She pulled away from the moment. They watched the kids dash towards the truck. "Come on, let's get some" She pulled on his arm to get him up. Disappointed, he stood and followed behind in her pursuit of ice cream.

She walked into the stillness of her home and placed her belongings in their designated spots. She hung her jacket in the small closet near the door and put her small satchel on the hook next to it. Removed her shoes and placed them in the cubby on the wall and slipped on the house shoes awaiting her. Wood panels flanked the walls in her small cabin and she admired the feel every time she entered. Noticing something amiss she tilted the picture frame on the wall less than a quarter of inch before proceeding into the kitchen to prepare lunch. It was 12:30pm and she would be done preparing lunch at 12:50, clean up the meal prep and begin eating at 1:00pm. She had a routine and was extraordinarily faithful to it.

Alexis spent her days tending to her vegetable garden, chickens and goats. She grew the majority of her vegetables, made homemade bread and visited the butcher for meat. Occasionally she traded goods with others in her village, though she mostly kept to herself.

Some would be unnerved by the silence that adorned her home but for her it was peace; her safe haven away from the commotion of the city or other people. She wasn't too fond of people. She'd only experienced pain and disappointment from the ones she believed she loved. So when she got the opportunity to start over she decided she wanted to be as far away from people as possible. She bought a little farm house in the in the Altai Mountains of Russia. She'd come to embrace her new life, even comforted in the stability and routine. There was only one thing, or rather one person, she would trade it all for. But she'd accepted her punishment and would live out her days with sweet memories until her last.

"Knock, knock" she lightly tapped on the door before walking in, "Sam McCall? Hi, I'm Doctor Monica Quartermaine, I'm the chief cardiologist here at General Hospital. Dr. Jones consulted with me about your chart."

"This can't be good." Sam spoke more for her own benefit.

"We just want to take a few more tests today so we try and a get a clearer picture of what is going on. You stated fatigue and dizziness being your chief symptoms. Can you tell me if you've felt any other symptom's as well?" She placed latex gloves on her hands.

"I've gotten a few headaches as well but you know, I'm sure it's just my asthma acting up. Those tests probably aren't necessary."

"Can you lay back for me?" Monica placed her hands on the patient's abdomen and pressed down in various spots. "That's a possibility Sam but we just want to run through everything to make sure, you listened to your body and felt the need to come get checked out so why not just let us check everything out?"

Sam stared up at the florescent lights above her, "Okay, fine. Let's do this."